The United Colors of Benetton has me convinced that not all major fashion companies contribute to world malaise. Benetton consistently keeps it real by giving back to world communities, and their most recent humanitarian campaign is no different. Last month, the company teamed up with Youssou N’Dour, one of Africa’s and Senegal’s best-known singers, to launch “Africa Works,” a spotlight on entrepreneurial Africa.

Here’s the gist:
“The campaign promotes the Birima micro-credit programme in Senegal, a co-operative credit society founded by N’Dour. [It] offers financial services for SMEs [small and medium enterprises], craftspeople, professionals and artists to help them start and independently develop their business.“
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Monday, March 17, 2008, 7:00pm
McNally Robinson (52 Prince St.)
AWAKE! A Reader for the Sleepless

Before you go out drinking green beer and pinching strangers on Monday, head to McNally Robinson for a reading from Brooklyn-based publisher Soft Skull Press’s new anthology for the sleepless, AWAKE! The reader contains fiction, nonfiction, poetry, comics, and more — all of which centers on the theme of insomnia. Monday night McNally will have contributors Ed Champion, Jonatham Ames, and Molly Kotteman share their work. Editor Steven Lee Beeber (The Heebie-Jeebies at CBGB’s: A Secret History of Jewish Punk) will host, and free coffee will be offered to keep you from nodding out.

Thursday, March 20, 2008, 7:00pm
Tribeca Barnes & Noble (97 Warren Street)
Blood Kin, by Ceridwen Dovey

For an allegory that explores lust and power, centers on prisoners after a political coup, and has a title like Blood Kin, Dovey’s debut novel was actually pretty funny when I saw her read awhile back as part of an emerging writers’ showcase. I recommend it.